Government Structure

Arizona Boys State mirrors the three-tier design of Arizona's civic institutions. Delegates organize into cities, which group into counties, which ultimately convene at the state level to legislate, adjudicate, and administer the program.

Boys State gives young men a sense of agency. You don't just study government—you become the government.

— Program Director

Cities: Civic Laboratories

Cities are the foundation of the week. Delegates:

• Draft ordinances and debate community priorities.
• Manage daily schedules, budgets, and shared services.
• Recruit candidates and collect signatures for local offices.

City councils meet multiple times a day, giving every resident a chance to speak, compromise, and vote. Successful cities communicate early with their county counterparts to coordinate facilities, campaign strategies, and court appearances.

Counties: Shared Services & Campaign Hubs

Counties bring together two or three cities. Their responsibilities include:

• Operating county courts and recording official proceedings.
• Coordinating county-wide elections and primary debates.
• Supporting county-level offices such as sheriff, attorney, and supervisors.

County meetings are where campaigns gain momentum. Delegates refine stump speeches, finalize caucus slates, and review petition requirements before jumping into state races.

State Government: Executive, Legislative, Judicial

The state tier mirrors Arizona's tripartite structure:

Executive Branch

• The Governor leads the program, signs or vetoes legislation, and appoints officers.
• The Attorney General offers legal opinions and oversees statewide prosecution.
• Cabinet appointments cover finance, education, public safety, and more.

Legislative Branch

• The House and Senate craft bills emerging from city issues and statewide platforms.
• Committees analyze testimony, amend proposals, and send legislation to the floor.
• Joint sessions host keynote speakers and debate major appropriations.

Judicial Branch

• The Supreme Court hears moot cases, reviews program constitutionality, and issues advisory opinions.
• Lower courts at the county level manage misdemeanor hearings and civil disputes between cities.

Collaboration in Motion

Daily briefings and cross-level task forces ensure cities, counties, and state leaders stay aligned. Delegates learn that effective government is a constant conversation—one that balances local innovation with statewide coordination.

Resources

• City & county charters (distributed on check-in day)
• Legislative drafting templates (available in the Resource Center)
• Mock case briefs for moot court practice

Visit the Resources page to download official documents and reference materials.